5 Ways to Invest in Your Children

Yesterday, as I was trying to clean the house, London proceeded to flip over her jungle gym, activity center and slide and push them all together, making a little fort and obstacle course for herself. At first, I kind of freaked out because I had just organized her little play area and within minutes, here it was, in shambles again. Without jumping in after her, I decided to step back and grasp the bigger picture; Here she was putting her little mastermind to use and creating a little world to explore and enjoy. How could I step in and interrupt all of that? I decided not to and this led me to my next post about ways to invest in your children, their hearts, and their minds.

1. INVEST IN YOURSELF
Crazy, right? In a post about investing in your children, the first thing mentioned is that mommies need to invest in themselves; their hearts, their bodies, their minds. It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities and duties of being a mother, that we forget to take care of ourselves. Sometimes you have to leave the loads of laundry, and the dust bunnies under the couch to give yourself time to think, create and dream. I always feel so refreshed and restored after a good night’s sleep, a nice family walk and even something as simple as getting my nails done. It is so important to invest in yourself and make it a priority to do something for yourself that you love daily.

2. GET ON A SCHEDULE
It is so important to establish a routine and get yourself and your kids on a schedule as this gives a general order to the day. It also helps you and your kids prepare for what’s to come. In addition to naps and snacks, don’t forget to block out time for creative play, sensory exploration and for their little imaginations to run wild.

3. LET THEM BE CREATIVE
Allowing them to be creative often means letting them make messes, break the rules and explore. Lately, London has been pushing all of her little toys and furniture together so she can crawl in and around everything. As much as I want to get in there and return order to all of her things, I force myself to let her go and she finishes off her playing with lots of clapping and happily singing.

4. ALWAYS SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOUR BABIES
Nothing makes me cringe more than hearing parents talk about how awful their children were growing up and how they would never listen or were “bad kids.” Do I understand that being a parent can be exhausting, draining and just plain old tough sometimes? Abso-freaking-lutely. But that doesn’t change that fact that we are dealing with little people whose minds and hearts are ours to mold. I always make it a priority to speak well of my little sweetheart no matter how challenging the past few days have been. It is so easy to be negative and complain but I am a firm believer in beginning each day with a grateful heart and a positive mind. Make it a point to watch your words as they become your actions and your actions as it becomes your character.

5. PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS
Playing with your kids can be challenging as we are constantly reminded of what we need to do or who we need to be next but sometimes we just need to be their mommy. Nothing excites London more than me getting down to her level, crawling around, chasing her and following her around the house. She thinks it is absolutely hilarious when I enter into her little world and become her friend and confidante.

I would love to hear the way you mamas invest in your little lambs. Please feel free to leave us a comment below.

While I’m not a mom I love the suggestions you have, especially speaking highly of your kids and letting them be creative. It’s all part of learning and growing. My parents were extremely positive and that helped my mindset as I grew. Also these pictures are just adorable!!

Wow! this is so inspiring! Really, I have to give more time to my kids. The thing is that “you always have something to do right?” but maybe I can put some cores on stand by and pay more attention to them when they require it. Thanks for this article!